I DON’T CARE IF IT IS DALAI LAMA OR CHINA – JUST SAVE
PONGONG
When I first read about Pongong lake, shot to fame after
last scene of 3-idiots movie, I just told myself: Hell with it! One scene in
the movie is going to kill the entire lake. I read that many restaurants had
come up near that point, with 3-idiot theme.
However, we entered Pongong lake from entirely opposite
direction – passing through Tibet border, now under China control. Five of us –
Ramamurthy, Sachin, Chethan and Manoj were thrilled to see the lake from long
distance.
Our driver Mothub said that around 20 per cent of the lake
was with India and rest was in Tibet, under China control. The pristine lake
sight was mesmerizing and we just drove along for over 30 minutes to actually
reach the lake bed.
The first question after hitting the lake bed was where
3-idiots was shot? Motub was calm and said that we still had to cross at least
two villages to reach the place where shooting took place. ``They shot in many
places along two villages and I don’t know how much of it they have used it in
the movie,’’ he said. We realized that he had not watched the movie.
As we passed Merek and Man villages, there was no visible
activity. They were isolated small hamlets, looked untouched. The terrain was
tough, but lake and either side view was unimaginable. As we approached Spangik
village, I just said: ``What the f**k?’
The entire lake bed was on the verge of taking over and many
tents had been already erected. Some were being still constructed and some concrete
structure were also being built. In the far end, there were some small tents
and it was doubtful that any tourists would stay there. As I picked up my
camera, I saw a line of toilet comoddes being set up, which actually running
right into the lake. I got so disgusted that I put my camera down.
As F&B words flowed fluently from our mouth, Mothub
calmly explained the situation. ``Now the season is starting and most of the
people are reserving their places to put up accommodation for tourists. Those
small tents belong to labors, who come from other places. As the ice start
melting, the water level in the lake swells. But these people are building
shelters right on the lake.’’
``Earlier, very few people used to visit this lake as
approach is very difficult. Only those adventurous used to come here. However,
after 3-idiots, the number of tourists coming here has gone up. Every year,
more and more people are setting up camps here,’’ he said.
Our enthusiasm with the lake had died down. We were
expecting only a few 3-idot themed petty shops and restaurants. However, a
mini-township was coming up on the lake bed, without any regulation. The sewage
would sure be discharged to the lake itself. Silently, our eyes were searching
for the place where last scene of 3-idiots was shot. One or two locations
looked like that, but Mothub could not confirm it.
However, we were dumbstruck when reached Lukung village,
last of the four villages on banks of Pongong Tso on Indian side. There were at
least six restaurants under 3-idiots theme. There was also green adventure camp
built behind the restaurants and we had decided to have lunch in this place.
This was more than I could take. After ordering food, I took out my camera and started taking photographs of the establishments around the place. A local shop keeper said that after the movie was shot, there was a lot of `development'. Tourists were visiting and the local people
were getting `business'.
I was not in a mood to buy that theory. Just then, argument
broke out in a large group. Around 20 people had surrounded a jeep and were
asking something in their local language. All I could understand was that they
were labors and their wages had not been paid. The people in the jeep assured
something and drove away, while the group stood their murmuring among
themselves.
Ramamurthy went near the lake and said that this was the
place shown in the last scene of 3-idiots. He also said that the scooter had
been parked there. I went down and saw and board next to the scooter. It had
Kareena Kapoor’s photograph and informed that anyone can take a photograph
sitting on the scooter by paying Rs 50. Just shook my head and returned to the
car.
As we moved out of the lake area toward Leh, a board mocked
at me --- THINK CLEAN. A sarcastic smile moved on my lips, as I was predicting
doom of the lake.
Brutal truth in India is talking about conservation and
maintaining clean environment construed to be anti-development. At time, our
attitude looks anarchic and all the governments support such activities in the
name of development and upliftment of poor people.
I don’t care if it is Dalai Lama or China, as long as
someone saves Pongong lake from 3-idiots onslaught.
Vinay Madhav
